Windmill coupling



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Patented Mar. 13, 1923.

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JOHN G. SEIDE L, OF SCRANTON, IOWA.

W'INDMILL COUPLING.

Application filed Gc'cober 26, 1921. Serial No. 510,513.

To (HZ whom it may concern.

Be it known that 1, JOHN G. Sale-EL, a citizen of the United States, residing .at

Scranton, in the county of Green and State desired, and has for its chief purpose to provide a simple and novel means by which this can be accomplished.

The operation of uncoupling the windmill rod from the pump-rod when it is de sired to work the pump by some other means than the windmill, is a difficult one, on account of the danger of the windmill being in motion while the parts are being disconnected. The end of the pump-rod is also in such a position, as such parts are now constructed, that it overlaps the bolts or other fastening means .for the coupling, so as to interfere withthe removal of such fastenings.

The present device comprises a coupling of novel construction, which can be quickly connected withor disconnected from the pump-rod, and which is held entirely out of the way when not in use, so as not to interfere with the action of the pump-rod.

Another feature of the device consists in the provision of means for retaining the coupling and pump-rod in slidable relation, if desired, after the parts have been disconnected. This would be of advantage in case it were desired to operate the pump manually, by means of the usual pump-handle, for a short time, and then reconnect the pump with the windmill. It frequently occurs that the windmill rod is out of line with the pump-rod a foot or more, and when the parts are disconnected the upper rod will swing away from the lower one. This makes it difficult to again connect them, especially under conditions of darkness, and by the means mentioned the rods are held in slidable relation, although detached from each other. They are thereby held in position to be easily re-united.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the invention, in use when the parts are connected, with a portion of the plates 4 broken away.

Fig. 2 is a front view thereof.

Fig. 3 shows the same in side'elevation, with the parts, disconnected.- 1 represents a couplingv secured to the lower end of a windmill rod, indicated at 2, by means of bolts 3. A pair of spaced apart plates 4 has a pivotal connection with the coupling 1 by means'ofa head 5 uniting the upper ends of said plates, and connected with the part 1 by a pivot 6. The plates 4 areheld normally in alignment with the rod 2 by means of a pin 7, passing through 7 plates 8 of the coupling 1 andaney'e v9 on the head 5. The pin 7 is fitted with a handle, and is preferably threaded at its engaging end, to enter a correspondingly threaded opening in one of the plates 8.

At their lower ends the plates fare attached to a coupling 10, the lower part'of which is fitted to receive the upp'erend of a pump-rod 11, the parts being connected by means of a pin 12 passing through openings in the lower end of the coupling, and one of a series of perforations in the rod. By means of said perforations an adjustment of the coupling with relation to the pump-rod can be made.

When the plates 4. are connected with the coupling 1 by the pivot 6 and pin 7, and the coupling 10 is connected with the rod 11,

a practically rigid attachment between the rods 2 and 11 results, so that the reciprocating movement of the rod 2 will be imparted to the rod 11, to similarly actuate the same.

If it is desired to disconnect the windmill rod, and operate the pump by hand, or by motor, the pin 12 is withdrawn, and the pin 7 removed, )ermitting the plates 4 and coupling 10 to be swung. upwardly into proximity with the rod 2, where they are held by a catch 13, pivoted in a bracket 14 fixed to the part 1. The catch 13 engages the end of the head 5, as shown in Fig. 3, such'engagement being made positive by means of an extension 15 on the catch, against which the part 5 strikes, forcing the catch downwardly. The upward movement of the catch is limited by an extension 16 thereon, which comes in contact with the coupling 1 as the catch moves upwardly. \Vhen the coupling 10 is in elevated position, as just described, the windmill rod is free to move upand down without interfering in any way with the pump-rod. vVhen it is desired to again connect the parts the catch 13 is released, permitting the plates 1 and coupling 10 to again swing downwardly, so that such coupling can be again attached to the pump-rod. This can be readily accomplished, even if the rod 2 has some movement at the time.

The lower part of the coupling 10 is shown provided with a pair of extensions 17, perforated to receive a cotter-pin 18. If desired, when the coupling is to be tem- ,porarily disconnected from the pump-rod, such rod can be held from complete release by said pin, the upper end of the pump-rod merely working up and down in the coupling; It will be evident that with this arrangement the parts can be easily connected again when it is desired to do so. lVhen the plates 4 are to be swung upwardly, however, the pin 18 must be removed with the pin 12.

The plates 4 can be of any desired length, but should be sufliciently long to accon1 modate the upper end of the pump-rod, and to insure a clearance between the upper end of such rod and the windmill rod coupling, which will preclude any interference be tween such parts.

The shape of the catch 13 is such that it will automatically engage with the end of the head 5 when the plates 4 are swungupwardly, leaving both hands of the operator free to handle the parts in disconnecting them.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A device of the class described, comprising a coupling adapted to be secured to the lower end of a windmill rod; a support formed of spaced-apart plates having a pivotal connection at one end with said coupling, so as to be capable of being swung upwardly into proximity therewith; a coupling on the free end of said rod adapted for attachment to the upper end of a pump-rod; means for automatically engage ing said support when moved into proximity with said first-named coupling; and means for holding: said support normally in lowered position, in line with the windmill rod.

2. A device of the class described, comprising a coupling adapted for attachment to the lower end of a windmill rod; a support pivotally connected with said coupling so as to be capable of being swung upwardly into proximity therewith; means for holding said support rigidly in alignment with the windmill rod; a coupling on the free end of said support; means for holding the upper end of a pump-rod in rigid connection with said last-named coupling; and means for holding said pun'ip-rod in slidable relation therewith.

3. In combination with a windmill rod and pump rod, having their adjacent ends in spaced-apart relation, a coupling secured to the end of said windmill rod, and provided with a pivot device and a locking pin spaced therefrom; and a connecting member fitted at one of its ends for attachment to said pivot device and locking pin, so that upon the release of said pin it will swing on the pivot device, and adapted at its opposite end for attachment to the pump rod.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

JOHN G. SEIDEL. 

